Red Wings sign Cleary for another year

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2013 file photo, Detroit Red Wings right wing Daniel Cleary (71) controls the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Detroit. Goalie Martin Brodeur, forwards Dany Heatley, Daniel Cleary and Steve Ott are still on the market Wednesday, July 2, 2014, after a flurry of signings and trades were made during the opening day of the NHL's free-agency period. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

The Wings have agreed on a one-year deal that’ll bring the 35-year-old forward back for his 10th season in Detroit.

Cleary, who’ll get $1.5 million in base salary next season with $1 million in possible bonuses, struggled mightily last season.

In 52 games he totaled four goals, four assists and had a minus-11 rating.

Advertisement

“He’s a leader,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “We’re hoping he can bounce back. He’ll be good insurance, but he’s going to have to beat people out to be in the lineup.”

Some of Cleary’s struggles were due to injuries.

He tried to return from a knee injury he suffered before the Olympic break, but a bad reaction to an injection caused inflammation.

“He had a tough year last season,” Holland said. “But he’s a guy the coaching staff likes and his teammates like. He’s a leader in the room. He can play left or right wing and can go on the power play.

“He’s worked really hard in the gym, doing things to get himself back,” Holland continued. “With this one-year deal we’re giving him an opportunity.”

Cleary’s numbers have dropped off each season since he scored a career-high 26 goals and totaled a career-high 46 points during the 2010-11 season.

He was the Wings’ second leading scorer (four goals and six assists in 14 games) in the playoffs two seasons ago when they lost in Game 7 in a Western Conference second round meeting with the eventual Stanley Cup champ Chicago Blackhawks.

Cleary caused quite a stir last year as tried to decide on his future.

Cleary spurned a professional tryout from the Philadelphia Flyers and wound up signing a one-year deal to return to the Wings for $1.75 million on the eve of training camp.

He also shot down a report that he was offered a three-year deal worth $2.75 million a season to join the Flyers.

Signing Cleary put the Wings three players over the roster limit and just over $2 million over the salary cap and meant Gustav Nyquist would begin the season in Grand Rapids, which didn’t sit well with Wings fans.

Nyquist was the only forward that, at the time, didn’t have to clear waivers and be exposed for other teams to scoop up before being sent down to the minors.

“He had three-year offers from some teams last year,” Holland said. “We said at the time we would talk at the end of the season.”

Cleary had rejected the Wings’ two- and three-year offers prior to the opening of free agency last year and they moved on and signed Daniel Alfredsson (one year, $5.5 million) and Stephen Weiss (five years, $24.5 million).

The Wings’ two-year offer to Cleary was just below what the Flyers reportedly had offered. It was the addition of the third year that brought the number down even more, but all three years averaged around $2 million a season.

“People are probably thinking I’m not the smartest guy, or whatever, but I have to deal with what I feel is right for me, and I did it,” Cleary said after returning. “The whole process was tough. It’s hard for people to relate to the situation. I said it a few days ago, there’s nothing like being a Red Wing and I mean that. I love being here, I won a Stanley Cup here, I’ve got friends for life, not only the players, but guys who work in PR, trainers, coaches, I mean, the list goes on.

“I’m sorry to everybody for the drama that was created,” Cleary added. “It’s just not my style. Social media at times can be frustrating. But that’s the world we live in and I apologize to all of the writers, the Philly writers, but I’m a Red Wing and I’m proud to be a Red Wing.”

The Wings still have about $8 million under the $69 million salary cap for the upcoming season. They still need to sign restricted free agents Tomas Tatar and Danny DeKeyser.

Send comments to chuck.pleiness@macombdaily.com and visit his blog at redwingsfront.wordpress.com